Etching Primer is a single component fast dry self-etching primer. It is ideal for priming aluminum, galvanized steel, tin, mild steel, and other nonferrous metals. For your convenience, we’ve compiled a list of 10 Etching Primers with their features that we’ve examined and researched to assist you in making an informed decision

10 Best Etching Primer List

RankPictureNameRatingShops
#1

Seymour 20-1675 PBE Professional Primer

  • Self Etching/Weld Through Gray
9.9
Seymour 20-1675 PBE Professional PrimerCheck Price
#2

SEM 39683 Grey Self Etching Primer

  • 15.5 oz.
9.8
SEM 39683 Grey Self Etching Primer Check Price
#3

PRIMRSPRY AUTO

  • SELF ETCH
9.2
PRIMRSPRY AUTO Check Price
#4

U-POL 0741V Acid#8 Etch Primer Gray Aerosol

  • 13 Fl Oz.
9.3
U-POL 0741V Acid#8 Etch Primer Gray AerosolCheck Price
#5

Custom Coat Super Acid Etch Primer

  • Giant 15 Ounce Spray Can 
9.1
Custom Coat Super Acid Etch PrimerCheck Price
#6

SEM 39673 Black Self Etching Primer

  • 15.5 oz
9.3
SEM 39673 Black Self Etching Primer Check Price
#7

VHT SP307 High Performance

  • Self-Etch Primer – 11 oz.
9.4
VHT SP307 High Performance Check Price
#8

Dupli-Color DAP1690 12 Ounce Self-Etching Primer Aerosol

  • (Packaging May Vary)
9.5
Dupli-Color DAP1690 12 Ounce Self-Etching Primer AerosolCheck Price
#9

Rust-Oleum 254170A3 Professional Aluminum Primer Spray

  • 3 Pack, Flat White, 3 Count
9.3
Rust-Oleum 254170A3 Professional Aluminum Primer SprayCheck Price
#10

Rust-Oleum 260510 Automotive 2-in-1 Filler

  • Sandable Primer, 12 oz, Gray
9.6
Rust-Oleum 260510 Automotive 2-in-1 FillerCheck Price

Top 10 Etching Primer Reviews 2024

1. Seymour 20-1675 PBE Professional Primer, Self Etching/Weld Through Gray

Seymour 20-1675 PBE Professional Primer, Self EtchinWeld Through Gray

Product Details

  • A durable, zinc enhanced coating that protects all metal surfaces
  • Heat resistant up to 250˚F
  • Cuts faster than 100-Percent zinc rich coatings

A durable, zinc enhanced coating that protects all metal surfaces. Electrochemical galvanic action keeps on protecting even if scratched. Dry film is 86% pigment which results in less smoke and electrode wear when welding, and cuts faster than 100% zinc rich coatings. Stops rust creepage.

A durable, zinc enhanced coating that protects all metal surfaces. Electrochemical galvanic action keeps on protecting even if scratched. Dry film is 86-Percent pigment which results in less smoke and electrode wear when welding, and cuts faster than 100-Percent zinc rich coatings. Stops rust creepage. Specifically formulated to meet the performance needs of body shop personnel. Large sprayhead gives a professional looking application. Heat resistant up to 250˚F. Comes in a can, sprays like a gun. VOC Compliant.

As a responsible corporate citizen, Seymour of Sycamore is thoroughly committed to protecting the natural environment and ensuring the well-being of our employees. This means not only providing a safe, clean and healthy workplace, but also fulfilling our legal and social responsibilities within the community. Seymour has developed coatings with waterborne and high-solids resins as an alternative to traditional solvent-based polymers. Seymour products do not contain lead, cadmium, mercury, chromates or chlorinated solvents.

2. SEM 39683 Grey Self Etching Primer – 15.5 oz.

SEM 39683 Grey Self Etching Primer - 15.5 oz.

Product Details

  • Part Number: 39683
  • Country Of Origin: United States
  • Package Dimensions: 6.35 L X 6.35 W X 23.622 H (Centimeters)
  • Package Weight: 0.567 Kilograms

This is an etching primer. I, used it on Magnesium after etching with Borax and baking soda mixed. After drying I, used this prime 4 light coats over 4 days 1200 wet sand paper. I, then coated with primer for the paint !

3. PRIMRSPRY AUTO SELF ETCH

PRIMRSPRY-AUTO-SELF-ETCH-

Product Details

  • Manufacturer ‎Rust-Oleum Corp
  • Item Weight 1.95 pounds
  • Product Dimensions ‎8.5 x 5.75 x 8.25 inches
  • Item Package Quantity ‎2

A durable, zinc enhanced coating that protects all metal surfaces. Electrochemical galvanic action keeps on protecting even if scratched. Dry film is 86-Percent pigment which results in less smoke and electrode wear when welding, and cuts faster than 100-Percent zinc rich coatings. Stops rust creepage. Specifically formulated to meet the performance needs of body shop personnel. Large sprayhead gives a professional looking application. Heat resistant up to 250˚F. Comes in a can, sprays like a gun. VOC Compliant.

4. U-POL 0741V Acid#8 Etch Primer Gray Aerosol, 13 Fl Oz.

U-POL-0741V-Acid8-Etch-Primer-Gray-Aerosol-13-Fl-Oz.

Product Details

  • Primes bare metal surfaces
  • Included components: Aerosol
  • Primes bare metal surfaces
  • Dimensions: 2.76L inches x 9.65H inches x 2.76W inches

Primes bare metal surfaces. Promotes paint adhesion to difficult substrates such as galvanized steel and aluminum. Prevents steel from rusting. Ideal for rub through in primer prior to the application of color. Fast drying. No sanding required.

5. Custom Coat Super Acid Etch Primer – Giant 15 Ounce Spray Can – Gray – Automotive and Industrial Primer

Custom Coat Super Acid Etch Primer - Giant 15 Ounce Spray Can - Gray - Automotive and Industrial Primer - Great for use on Bare Metal Areas Before applying Truck Bed Liner

Product Details

  • Custom Coat Super Acid Etch Primer Extra Large 15 ounce Aerosol Spray Can
  • Custom Coat Super Acid Etch Primer
  • Super smooth finish 
  • Flat fan high atomization nozzle offers a large fan pattern and excellent coverage

Custom Coat Super Acid Etch Primer Extra Large 15 ounce Aerosol Spray Can – Gray – Provides excellent Anti-Corrosion Properties and is Fast Drying Etch and enables you to primeand protect bare metal in one step.

Custom Coat Super Acid Etch Primer is the ideal Primer to use on truck beds on exposed metal surfaces before applying Truck Bed . Works great under all major brands of truck bed liner like Custom Coat, UPOL Raptor, and Gator Guard.

Custom Coat Super Acid Etch Primer – Promotes excellent paint adhesion to difficult substrates such as galvanised steel and aluminium. Creates an anti-corrosive barrier that prevents steel from rusting and Aluminum from corroding. Phosphoric acid etch formula promotes paint adhesion to difficult Metal substrates.

6. SEM 39673 Black Self Etching Primer – 15.5 oz.

SEM 39673 Black Self Etching Primer - 15.5 oz.

Product Details

  • Excellent adhesion to steel, aluminum and stainless steel
  • Quick drying
  • 15.5 Fluid Ounces

This is an etching primer. I, used it on Magnesium after etching with Borax and baking soda mixed. After drying I, used this prime 4 light coats over 4 days 1200 wet sand paper. I, then coated with primer for the paint !

7. VHT SP307 High-Performance Self-Etch Primer – 11 oz.

VHT SP307 High Performance Self-Etch Primer - 11 oz.

Product Details

  • The first step in priming bare metal
  • Promotes maximum paint adhesion
  • Corrosion resistant
  • Ideal for most plastic and fiberglass
  • This item is not for sale in Catalina Island

VHT’s Self-Etch primer is a high performance product that etches and primes in one easy step. It features superior adhesion and is perfect for spot repairs. Can be used under all of today’s automotive finishes. Ideal for most plastic, fiberglass, bare steel, aluminum and stainless steel.

8. Dupli-Color DAP1690 12 Ounce Self-Etching Primer Aerosol, (Packaging May Vary)

Dupli-Color DAP1690 12 Ounce Self-Etching Primer Aerosol, (Packaging May Vary)

Product Details

  • The Dupli-Color Scratch Fix All-In-1 Touch-Up Tool
  • We Are The Only Brand With Colors Tested
  • Through Creativity, Productivity And Innovation
  • Flash point: -104.0 degrees_celsius

The Dupli-Color Scratch Fix All-in-1 touch-up tool features an abrasive prep tip, exact-color match paint, and clear coat. We are the only brand with colors tested and approved by vehicle manufacturers for a perfect match to the original factory finish when restoring that scratch or chip. The New Scratch Fix All-in-1 tool helps you fix it easy and fix it right in your garage.

Dupli-Color Self-Etching Primer etches and primes bare metal in one step, making it ideal to use as the first step in all automotive priming projects and for use on spot repairs. A high-quality formulation allows for maximum adhesion under all types of automotive finishes on plastics, fiberglass, bare steel, aluminum and stainless steel surfaces.

9. Rust-Oleum 254170A3 Professional Aluminum Primer Spray, 3 Pack, Flat White, 3 Count

Rust-Oleum 254170A3 Professional Aluminum Primer Spray, 3 Pack, Flat White, 3 Count

Product Details

  • Designed for bare aluminum to prepare the surface for painting
  • High quality, durable oil-based formula maintains consistent
  • Covers up to 14 sq ft, dries to touch in 15 minutes 
  • Commercial, industrial paint formula

Tough enough for commercial applications, Rust-Oleum Professional High Performance Enamel Spray Paint provides excellent coverage in a fast-drying, rust preventative coating. Commercial-quality enamel dries quickly with superior resistance to abrasion, chipping, fading and dulling.

Rust-Oleum Professional Aluminum Primer is specially formulated base coat for aluminum surfaces. It provides a tight bond for the top coat, thus resisting the usual problems of blistering, flaking, or peeling paint. Apply to aluminum surfaces.

10. Rust-Oleum 260510 Automotive 2-in-1 Filler & Sandable Primer, 12 oz, Gray

Rust-Oleum 260510 Automotive 2-in-1 Filler & Sandable Primer, 12 oz, Gray

Product Details

  • Stops Rust formula
  • A comfort spray tip with wider finger pad
  • 2 in 1 Primer features an advanced spray system that allows you to spray at any angle
  • Sands smooth for the ultimate finish
  • The hi-build formula fills in minor imperfections

Rust-Oleum Automotive 2 in 1 Filler and Sandable Primer spray paint offers a durable and long lasting base coat to enhance later painting on auto body surfaces and more. Stops Rust formula provides rust resistance while the 2 in 1 formula fills surface imperfections and primes the surface. Any angle spray and a comfort tip allow painting of hard to reach spots and reduce finger fatigue.

Oil based 2 in 1 paint with Stops Rust formula saves time and provides rust resistant base coat for cars, trucks, and other vehicles.

FAQ’s About Etching Primer

What’s the difference between primer and etch primer?

Regular primer is worked on natural materials, while self-etching primers use on metal surfaces where it is needed to prevent corrosion.

Is etch primer necessary?

Etch primer is good but not necessary unless you get rid of the mild rust first. Self-etching primer doesn’t provide a sound rust barrier, so if you use it on steel or any other ferrous metal, you need to protect it until you spray another coat.

Can you paint over etching primer?

You cannot paint directly over etch primer. You will need a surfacer or other primer/sealer on top of this.

What is self etching primer good for?

Rust-Oleum Self Etching Primer is used to prime bare metal, aluminum, and fiberglass exteriors to increase most adhesion and smoothness to coat surfaces.

Conclusion

We aim to give you the best possible solution to all your doubts with the underlying benefits of Etching primer. Also, now you can ensure your surface has a beautiful finish at the most affordable price. A new coat of primer can make your painting job breathable and flexible. We hope that this best etching primer review will answer all your questions and clarify all your doubts.